Frank Hernandez, a Exhibit Supervisor for the California Science Center, waits to board a street car during his lunch break on Wednesday, May 21, 2014 in Los Angeles. A study is now underway on whether Riverside Mayor William “Rusty” Bailey’s dream of streetcars can realistically come true

The U.S. must seriously support long-term stability by shifting from a militarized approach in the Middle East to one rooted in inclusive, diplomatic solutions.

I hope members of Congress will support and work for a lasting ceasefire that includes lifting the Israeli blockade of Gaza.

The U.S. has particular responsibility to help end the killing, since U.S. weapons are fueling this conflict. The International Committee of the Red Cross has called the blockade collective punishment against a civilian population.

U.S. policymakers must call for lifting the blockade to ensure a durable ceasefire.

Elaine Arellano

Lawndale

Riverside street cars unwanted

I do business in downtown Riverside at least once a week. I also enjoy the restaurants in the area. The city is a gem, with beautiful buildings and clean streets. I also travel down Magnolia Avenue to Kaiser Permanente. I love this city.

Why in the world would anyone want to make it ugly with overhead powerlines and tracks for streetcars? Please, don’t do that. It’s a costly mistake if you do. Residents, please don’t let these politicians do that.

John J. Langdon

Moreno Valley

Russian conflicts stem from U.S. involvement

I’m old enough to remember the first Cold War, our failed “Bay of Pigs” invasion and the Cuban Missile Crisis. I’m not sure why we’re doing it again in Ukraine.

My short-term memory is good enough to see through the Red Scare propaganda and remind us all that Russia didn’t start this mess. Ukraine voters elected President Viktor Yanukovych in 2010 and raised his “Party of Regions” to dominance in the Parliament elections of 2012. Polls through mid-2013 showed the “Party of Regions” far ahead for the planned 2014 presidential election.

The losing pro-European groups began protest and massive demonstrations, taking control of government buildings in Kiev by late 2013. Civil disobedience grew into fire bombings and rioting by early 2014. President Yanukovych and the “Party of Regions” were driven from the country and banned from participating in the 2014 election, thus disenfranchising a huge section of Ukrainian voters. It is this pro-Western “government” of questionable legitimacy that we have chosen to support in their coup. Russia has elected to support the disenfranchised eastern Ukrainians in what quickly spiraled into civil war.

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